Vineyard Wind, a pioneer in offshore wind development, has initiated marshalling activity at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal (NBMCT) in Massachusetts, marking the beginning of the first commercial-scale offshore wind project in the United States.
Over the coming weeks, installation operations will commence in full swing, involving the frequent arrival and departure of large heavy-lift offshore wind vessels and barges. These vessels will transport and deploy various components such as offshore wind towers, nacelles, and blades.
Not only will these vessels be sizable, but the frequency of their transits, including arrivals, departures, and in-port repositioning, will surpass the previous activity observed at the facility involving large vessels.
Ensuring the safety of the offshore wind vessels and, more importantly, all other marine traffic, including commercial fishermen and recreational boaters, is of paramount importance. To address this concern, the New Bedford Port Authority (NBPA) has devised two primary measures.
Firstly, the NBPA will continue to provide escorts to facilitate the safe passage of large commercial vessels. Depending on various factors such as vessel size, timing, and weather conditions, multiple escorts may be assigned. The primary purpose of these escorts is to regulate and manage vessel traffic on either side of the hurricane barrier and within the harbor, particularly as ships navigate through the barrier opening. This will guarantee a secure transit to the turning basin in front of State Pier and the Terminal channel.
During the escorting of vessels, a temporary halt will be implemented for all other boats passing through the New Bedford hurricane barrier and surrounding the ship as it traverses the harbor. Once the New Bedford Harbormaster determines it is safe to do so, normal traffic will promptly resume.
Secondly, the NBPA will effectively communicate information received from Vineyard Wind and its contractors to port users regarding the timing of any offshore wind transits. This will allow sufficient time for preparation, planning, and any necessary schedule adjustments. It is important to note that due to operational and weather-related factors, the actual arrival of vessels may deviate from the targeted arrival time by several hours or even days.
The NBPA aims to reach out to as many commercial operators, including fishing boats, commercial freight vessels, and ferries, as possible to inform them about this communication protocol.
The initiation of marshalling activity at the NBMCT signifies a significant milestone in the development of offshore wind energy in the United States. The Vineyard Wind project promises to contribute to the expansion of renewable energy sources, reduce carbon emissions, and pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.
